Starting a Futsal League

Starting a Futsal League

Austin Futsal is looking for volunteers to organize and administer youth and adult futsal leagues in the Capitol Area. At the height of Austin Futsal, three leagues were running under the umbrella of Austin Futsal. The South Austin Futsal Association was run by Lisa Schlimgen, a past president of Austin Futsal. The North Austin Futsal Association was led by Cheryl Vickers. Finally, Bob Jones and Jim Daniels led the Longhorn Futsal League, serving Far North Austin and Williamson County.

If you want to organize a Futsal league, read on. This section has been written to help in the initial formation of that League.

The following is a step by step guide to aid in creating a Futsal League structure sanctioned by your State Futsal Association.

Step 1
Contact your Austin Futsal for assistance, rules and training guides.

Step 2
Call your local library, school or other public facility and request permission to hold an initial organizational meeting on their premises, secure a date, time and place.

Step 3
Hold an initial meeting of interested people you know who are or might be interested in helping you establish the league.

Step 4
During the meeting find out how many people you can count on to help. Find out how many people have played Futsal before. Assign the formation of a Futsal team to each on of the members of the group. Devise a plan at the meeting for promotion of the new league; use of radio, newspapers, TV, posters, etc. Appoint a person to organize Futsal clinics and contact the Austin Futsal for assistance. Appoint a committee to begin immediate work on the Constitution and By-Laws of the new League. Call the State Association and request they put on a seminar on league organization and structure.

Step 5
Work closely with local soccer clubs and associations to find players and teams. Most professional youth coaches are strong advocates of futsal over indoor arena style soccer for developing young players. These people can help spread the word and will often enter their teams as a whole into the league.

Step 6
Send press releases to the local newspapers, radio stations, and television stations (See sample press release on last column).

Step 7
Contact your local Chamber of Commerce and ask them to spread the word of your new league. Ask your friends to spread information by word of mouth. Call civic clubs, churches and relatives.

Step 8
Contact other youth programs in your community and request permission to put on a Futsal clinic for their parents. Invite the parents to form teams.

Step 9
Contact the elementary schools and see if they will distribute information on the league to their students. Provide them with a general introduction to the game, with web site references, and team and individual sign up forms.

Step 10
Contact area shopping malls and request permission to put a special booth advertising your Futsal program in the mall. .

Step 11
Contact the local sporting goods and soccer specialty stores and ask them if they will make player applications forms available to their customers.

Step 12
Contact the local governing soccer association for a list of coaches and managers of select and recreational teams. Mail the coaches and managers team registration forms.

Step 13
Contact schools, churches and recreation facilities to procure playing facilities. Be preapred to be flexible and have a futsal ball available to explain how the game works and how it will not damage the facility.

Step 14
Schedule a referee training session for potential referees. Austin Futsal can help you schedule a referee instructor.

Step 15
Register your teams, make your schedules, and PLAY FUTSAL!

Sample Press Release:

Anytown USA Futsal League, Inc
PO Box ????, Anytown, States 99999

Date

Anytown Newspaper
Sports Editor
PO BOX 999
Anytown, State 99999

Reference: Anytown USA Futsal League,

Contact Point: Mrs. G. Washington
9999 First Street
Anytown, State 99999

Please insert the following press release in your paper from this date until January 01, 2000.

Registration for teams or individuals are now being accepted for the Anytown USA Futsal League, Inc. to begin Winter League Play on Sunday January 20, 2000. For further Information call Henry Smith at 999-9999.

For more information
You may call or contact:
United States Futsal Federation
Post Office Box 40077
Berkeley, California 94704-4077
Telephone: (510) 334-USFF(8733)
Fax: 510-527-8110
Request: Membership Information
Internet: http://www.futsal.com

Austin Futsal Association
15506 Enid Drive
Austin, Texas 78734
(512) 266-7871
FAX: (512) 266-7922

Website: http://www.placek.com/afa/